Farfalle, also known as bow tie pasta, is a beloved Italian delicacy. The name farfalle is derived from the Italian word farfalla, meaning butterfly, as its shape resembles that of a butterfly’s wings. Have you ever wondered how to cook this delightful pasta? Follow these 7 simple steps to ensure your bow tie pasta turns out delicious and perfect every time. We’ll also share some pro tips to elevate your farfalle pasta dish to a whole new level.
What You’ll Need
- A large pot
- A tongue, wooden spoon, or spatula
- A colander
- Bow tie pasta (farfalle)
- Water
- Salt
7 Steps to Cook Bow Tie Pasta
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Boil Water in a Large Pot
Take a large pot and bring water to a complete boil over high heat. It’s crucial to use a spacious pot when cooking farfalle pasta.
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Add a Generous Amount of Salt
According to Italian tradition, pasta should be cooked in water as salty as the sea. To achieve this, add 1-2% salt to your water. For each quart (liter) of water, approximately 1/2-1 tbsp (10-20 g) of salt should be added.
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Add the Bow Tie Pasta and Set the Timer
Place the bow tie pasta into the salty water and set your timer according to the cooking time indicated on the packaging. You can now reduce the heat to medium-low.
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Stir in the First Minute
During the first minute of the cooking process, give the farfalle a gentle stir. After that, stirring is not necessary.
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Cook for 10 Minutes
The packaging will specify the recommended cooking time for the farfalle pasta, which may vary slightly depending on the brand. To ensure perfectly cooked pasta, a safe bet is to cook it for 10 minutes. More tips are provided below.
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Drain the Pasta
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander.
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Add Sauce
To prevent the bow tie pasta from sticking together, transfer it to the sauce immediately after draining. Mix it well, allowing the freshly cooked pasta to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
Cooking Time for Farfalle Pasta
The recommended cooking time for dry bow tie pasta is 10 minutes. However, it’s always advisable to follow the instructions on the packaging. If you prefer your pasta less or more chewy, you can start tasting the farfalle 1-2 minutes before the indicated cooking time and adjust accordingly.
Italian Secrets for Cooking the Perfect Farfalle Pasta
To achieve the ultimate farfalle pasta, there are a few tricks straight from Italy:
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Mix with Sauce After Draining: The best way to prevent the bow tie pasta from sticking together is to mix it with the sauce immediately after draining. This allows the pasta to absorb the delicious juices and liquids from the sauce, resulting in finger-licking butterfly pasta dishes every time.
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Salty Water: Italians recommend using water as salty as the sea. Although the Mediterranean Sea has a salinity of about 3.8%, which is quite salty for cooking noodles, adding 1-2% of salt to your cooking water is still essential. This translates to approximately 1/2-1 tbsp (10-20 g) of salt for each quart (liter) of water.
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Ample Water Quantity: Use a generous amount of water when cooking farfalle pasta. As a general rule of thumb, you should have 1 liter of water for every 100 g of farfalle. For a 16 oz pack of farfalle, this corresponds to 4 1/2 quarts of water. However, using a gallon of water (4 quarts or 4 liters) for a 16 oz pack of farfalle guarantees perfect results.
Can Bow Tie Pasta be Reheated?
Yes, you can easily reheat cooked bow tie pasta as long as it hasn’t been mixed with the sauce. Italian restaurants often employ this technique to serve fresh pasta quickly. The process is simple: pre-cook your farfalle, store them in a dry place, and right before serving, immerse the noodles in boiling water for 1-2 minutes. This will result in perfectly cooked, fresh bow tie pasta.
Other Names for Farfalle Pasta
Farfalle pasta is recognized by several names, all derived from its Italian origins and its resemblance to butterflies and bow ties:
- Farfalle pasta
- Bow tie pasta
- Butterfly pasta
- Bowtie pasta
Remember, cooking farfalle pasta is an art that can be mastered by anyone. So grab a pot, some bow tie pasta, and let your culinary skills shine. For more inspiration and to explore a variety of mouthwatering dishes, visit Hook’d Up Bar and Grill.